Remodeling Question?

Question

My husband and I had a contractor look at our upstairs to give re-modeling estimates. It's an older house and we are looking to re-do walls, carpet, new windows, change the bathroom, update electrical and add heat/cooling vents. There are 2 1/2 rooms and a bathroom. The estimates came back totalling $30,000! We only paid $97,000 for the house. Does this sound right? I'm no construction expert. Would it be better to sell the house and buy one that's finished or save up the money to do this?

Answer 1

That sounds about right, I'd say for a Bid its a little low, 2nd floor complete gut and update I'd say about 37000. The plumbing alone is going to be about 7000, the electric about 5000 if you can find someone reasonable, if your just adding HVAC vents (with a new trunk to support them) 3000. thats 15000 just in subcontractors and you havent even done demo, framing/retrofit, windows, drywall, insulation, paint, permits, floor coverings, finish work, closet packages, waste disposal. your also looking at losing your 2nd floor for about 6 months and having strangers in your home everyday, not to mention that building/remodeling is one of the leading causes of divorce.

on the other hand some people like the charm of older homes and if its in the right neighborhood you'll make it all back and maybe more when you sell.

Answer 2

Depending on which state you live in 30,000.oo dollars sounds about right and is the contractor doing the work, a cheeper way could be that you and your husband be the contractors and sub- contract the work which means you do the work with a contractor checking your work to make sure its being done right, and any permits that might be needed. Dont sell your house though because after its done your way you will injoy it more. And even if you were to sell and buy another home your still going to want to change something in it and still put out more money.

Answer 3

Renovations on older homes are often more costly, mostly because they were not built with modern innovations in mind. Also, many things the contractor must order for you come in standard sizes now, and those sizes will not work in an older home. Your windows, bath tub, cabinets, etc, may have to be special ordered. You should get another estimate just to be sure. If you can't do it all at once, do what we do - have it done in stages: This year the windows, next year the bathroom, etc.

Answer 4

yes it sounds about right but if you can afford it maybe it's time to move into a new home you should research the possibilities before you do the remodel, check out some open houses the market is slow right now and there are some good deals out there.

Answer 5

30k sounds good and possibly a little low for my part of the country...it may not seem like a big , but there is a lot of work involved and labor costs are 50 pre hour and up depending on the trade where i live so it adds up fast.

Answer 6

in fact what i want to verify is closer seats to the sector. noticeably from in the back of the porterias thats the place many of the Hinchas carry jointly to assist there club. a million)Estadio Olímpico Universitario 2)Estadio tres De Marzo 3)Tecnológico(NEW Stadium coming quickly) 4)Quintana Roo 5)Estadio Azteca Estadio Azteca desires to redecorate each and every thing from the interior and out. they could do away with the seats and take off there form in the back of the porteria! looks grotesque.

Answer 7

Contractors costs have gone way up for materials and insurance in recent years so I'm not surprised by that amount.

Answer 8

My mom got a house like yours and all she did is sell the dame house because it caused to much so i will sell that house for 10,000

Answer 9

Mama get several estimates.........$30K IS sure a lotta $$$ but there are a few variables......what part of the country you're in...........whats included in his price.........There's just not enough information here to tell you for sure. But whatever you do, get several extimates and check him through the BBB and ask for references..

Good luck!